Chapter I: The Sudden Oddity (II)

He still can't believe it; this should be impossible. He has woken up in another world, in Archie Shellford’s body, the son of Edward L. Shellford and Emeline Shellford.

Not to mention that both of his parents were nobles who ruled over a small area around here.

"Hey, Layla," Archie greeted.

Layla was reading a book on the table near his bed. Archie had tried to approach her secretly to see what book she was reading, but for some reason, he always got caught, and Layla hid the book.

"Mmm?" Layla grumbled in response without looking back at Archie.

For the past two days, he had been trying to find all the information about his new world. Archie mostly uses psychology in communication but realizes he can't do the same thing forever.

“Do you know about the Seven Days Void?”

“Um? Yeah, of course. It's an irregular dungeon with full raid difficulty,” Layla explained without taking her eyes off the book, “it's the dungeon Sir Edward entered to find your cure.”

Up to this point, Archie had known enough about it through the servants. But he deliberately provoked this topic of conversation for more critical details.

As he knew, Edward L. Shellford, his father, was following a full raid in the dungeon called the Seven Days Void. It was named that way because the dungeon gate would appear randomly for seven days, then disappear and reappear randomly within the next twelve months.

"It's a very high-difficulty dungeon, a minimum of twenty-five people with a transcendent class level two are required," Layla added.

He had awakened in a world of dungeons and magic. Each and everyone has a different class and job. Like in fantasy-games worlds, there is also a transcendent class.

"Does that mean I'm dead?" Archie muttered, remembering that he was in a critical condition before. Or did their souls swap? That is a question that is almost impossible to answer. "Looks like this isn't a dream."

Layla stopped reading and moved closer to Archie, sitting on the bed. "Are you okay, Archie? You didn't seem to have fully recovered yet."

It had been two days, but Layla saw Archie often muttering to himself about dreams and reality. It makes her concerned.

“Aaw~,” Layla moaned. This time, Archie pinched her cheek, "shouldn't I be the one pinching you?"

"I'm just making sure you are human or angel," replied Archie trying to tease.

Layla was quite surprised, her face became reddish, and she won’t look directly into Archie's eyes. She tried to look away, but Archie's soft hands forced her to stare at each other.

“Mou.” Layla didn't resist and just let her face become Archie's toy.

The two figures did not realize that a third person was watching them from outside the room, "Is mommy bother your romance?"

Hearing the voice, Layla immediately got up from Archie's bed and returned to her original seat, lowering her face in embarrassment.

"You are here," said the mother. She entered the room and sat down next to Archie, tucking his head into her lap. "Mom already got the news. Mr. Erick will come to pick you up tomorrow, Layla."

"Owh, okay Mrs. Emeline, thank you very much," replied Layla nervously.

“You will marry my son someday, so you can call me mother.”

“Aa–ah, then… Mother Emeline.”

Emeline smiled, hearing her future daughter-in-law calling herself a mother.

"How are you feeling now, honey?"

“Perfect,” Archie replied. His head was in her mother's lap, finding his face stroked by his mother.

The comfort made Archie sleepy. It was a sensation he had never felt before, not even in a dream. The feeling of getting loved by a mother.

In his previous world, it was customary that when he fell asleep earlier, he would wake up earlier too. This habit has carried over to the present day.

In just two days, the view of his room's roof became familiar. Archie wakes up and looks around the room.

Apparently, his mother was also sleeping beside him. Her mature figure looks vulnerable, lying down without a blanket. It was clear that his mother put the blanket on Archie but let herself just fall asleep.

"I have recovered, don't let my mommy get sick later," thought Archie. He pulled the blanket to cover his mother and kissed her forehead warmly.

Archie had never done that in his previous world, but his current body still had the bond between mother and son with the woman—and it should be like that.

As soon as he left the room, to his right was a closed room. It was the room his fiancée, Layla Rose Whitehall, used. Straight from that direction, then he could arrive at the living room.

"I even memorize this house’s layout faster than economic math," he grumbled.

Because he didn't have a definite intention, Archie chose to turn left towards a small garden next to his house. Since waking up in this world, it has been a calming place for him.

The green ornamental vines' layout is interesting, making the atmosphere relaxed and calm. There was a seat in a small hut for shelter from the sun and rain. Apparently, someone was there.

"Okay, okay. Once again." Layla placed her book on the table, then made a pose with her palms, "[Aura of Clarity], [Crystal Clear]."

Layla's figure emitted a soft, bluish, white light among the vine's flowers that were still shy to bloom. Archie couldn't take his eyes off Layla.

“So this is how magic is in this world?”

It wasn't long before the light faded and was completely extinguished.

Even though Layla is his fiancée, Archie still finds it strange to stalk her. Finally, he decided to show himself.

"That was beautiful," said Archie.

“Eh?! Archie?” Layla grabbed the book and tried to hide it behind.

From the start, Archie didn't concern about the book that Layla always carried with her. If she doesn't want to show it, then that's fine.

For now, the more important thing was to gather as much information about his new world as possible. With such a desire, Archie chose to take a humane approach instead of forcing things.

“Wha—since when you were there?”

"Not long ago, I passed by after waking up." Archie approached the hut and sat down on one of the benches. "If you are willing, would you like to accompany me for a while?"

Archie asked Layla to sit down without hinting where she should sit. There were three benches left that were a different distance from where he was currently sitting. Unexpectedly, Layla chose the seat closest to him.

It was a good opportunity for Archie. If he could use the situation well, he might get some knowledge about this world.